The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh 10-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that its members will down tools if longstanding welfare demands are not met.
In a communiqué released after its Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting on Sunday, the doctors accused the Government of reneging on multiple promises despite earlier extensions granted “in the interest of industrial harmony.”
The statement, signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, outlined a litany of unfulfilled commitments, including: non-payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund to several members, outstanding arrears of five months from the 25%/35% CONMESS salary review, failure to clear salary backlogs and allowances, as well as neglect of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
The doctors also condemned the “unjust downgrading” of postgraduate membership certificates issued by the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, describing it as a blow to professional recognition. They further decried the persistent refusal of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue certificates.
NARD singled out Kaduna and Oyo state governments for “gross insensitivity” to their doctors. In Kaduna, despite signed agreements, the state has allegedly refused to honour commitments to doctors at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital. In Oyo, authorities have failed to resolve welfare challenges at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, where resident doctors have been on indefinite strike.
The association, however, commended a few governors who have fully paid the 2025 training fund, describing them as “examples of responsible leadership.”
“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands. Failure to do so within this period (expiring Wednesday, 10th September 2025) will leave us with no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike,” the communiqué warned.
The ultimatum underscores the recurring crisis in Nigeria’s public health sector, where government neglect of agreements has routinely triggered strikes, leaving millions of patients stranded.
